As a longtime fan of Tim Burton’s quirky and imaginative world, I must say that the latest installment of Beetlejuice has truly captured the essence of the original film while adding a modern twist. The character development of Lydia Deetz, played brilliantly by Winona Ryder, is particularly noteworthy as she grapples with her past traumas and the lingering specter of Beetlejuice. It’s a testament to how skillfully Burton weaves complex emotions into his work, making it relatable yet unique.
36 years after its initial release, I’m thrilled to say that the iconic film “Beetlejuice” has graced our screens once more! Early box office numbers suggest an enthusiastic response from viewers eager to witness this timeless character, the unforgettable ghost with the most. The original “Beetlejuice” remains almost flawless, a unique blend of horror and comedy that continues to captivate audiences of all ages. Development for a sequel has been a long-standing challenge since the 90s, even including a proposal titled “Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian”. The new “Beetlejuice” is now hitting theaters in a cinematic world vastly different from its debut in 1988.
The movie “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” arrives in theaters when comedy flicks have had a hard time at the box office, with legacy sequels showing mixed results (such as hits like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Top Gun: Maverick“, and flops like “The Exorcist Believer” and “Independence Day Resurgence“). Films like “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” attempted to create substantial movies from initial comedies, predictably falling short. However, unlike its predecessor, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” chooses not to emphasize the original film or its characters. Instead, it remains faithful to its roots by aiming to provide a fun, lighthearted experience, just like the original did.
The finale seems to indicate that director Tim Burton and his actors are enjoying a hearty chuckle over Hollywood’s habit of hinting at upcoming films, all while honoring classic horror flicks and aligning with the film’s central motif.
Lydia Moves On, but Beetlejuice Still Haunts Her
The story revolves around Lydia Deetz, portrayed once more by Winona Ryder. Now a psychic medium, she hosts a TV show mimicking series like Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures. This new profession has created a rift between her and her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), as Lydia can supposedly interact with ghosts but not her late father and ex-husband, Richard. Lydia herself is plagued by visions of Beetlejuice, played again by Michael Keaton.
Throughout the movie, Lydia not only restores her bond with her child but also encounters Beetlejuice as a hurdle. As they form an unstable partnership to rescue Lydia’s daughter from the underworld, Beetlejuice attempts to marry Lydia, having previously obtained her signature in a deal for his assistance. However, the wedding is disrupted by both Beetlejuice’s former spouse Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking entity who was Beetlejuice’s wife during his human existence, and Astrid, who manages to exploit a loophole in Beetlejuice’s contract with Lydia. In the end, it’s Lydia who sends Beetlejuice back to the realm of the deceased once more, defeating him again.
In the movie, it transitions to show Lydia and Astrid reunited, venturing out to discover various destinations, first among them being Dracula’s Castle – a location that Astrid and her late father had intended to visit, with an emphasis on haunted sites. At Dracula’s Castle, Astrid encounters a young boy dressed as Count Dracula. The narrative then shifts to depict Astrid marrying this boy, followed by scenes of Astrid in a hospital, preparing for childbirth. However, the baby born is unlike any other – it’s none other than Beetlejuice, a demonic infant that had been introduced earlier in the movie during a therapy session with Lydia and her fiancé Rory (Justin Theroux). This malevolent baby causes chaos in the hospital, killing one doctor before finding its way into Astrid’s arms. Instead of displaying fear or shock, she beams with joy.
The scene shifts to Lydia appearing to have had a frightful dream, but it appears the dread continues as Beetlejuice is found in bed with her, jokingly remarking about a strange dream. This is followed by Lydia waking up alone, still visibly anxious. It’s evident that despite her growing bond with Astrid, Lydia hasn’t completely freed herself from the clutches of Beetlejuice. His ghostly presence lingers, a constant reminder that he may never truly disappear from her life. It seems Beetlejuice is perpetually on standby.
What Does It All Mean?
In the concluding scene of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, Tim Burton cleverly references a common trope in horror movies: the use of an initially peaceful resolution that later gives way to a shocking twist. This is reminiscent of the ending of the 1976 film “Carrie”, where the character Sue, portrayed by Amy Irving, places flowers on Carrie’s burnt-down home, only to have Carrie’s arm emerge from the ground and grab her during a nightmare. It appears to be a humorous take on the endings of both “Friday the 13th” (1980) and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), where the characters, thinking they had escaped, are startled when the monster reappears at the seemingly happy conclusion.
The ending also speaks to the themes of the movie. Much of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is about the need for the living to move on and enjoy their lives, which parallels how the dead need to move on into the afterlife. Many of the characters are haunted by something, with Astrid still reeling from the death of her father. Lydia has to deal with that, and the fact that the incident with Beetlejuice back in the 1988 film still haunts her. A running gag in the film is how narcissists like Lydia’s ex-fiance and scumbag producer Rory co-opt therapy speak, real helpful tools, in a way to justify their own selfish choices while downplaying others. Lydia might get a win over Beetlejuice in the film’s climax, but the ending shows that trauma is a lot more difficult to move on from and not a singular thing that can be beaten into submission.
The closing scene in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice serves as a witty jab at audiences, contrasting the upbeat finale of the original film with a chilling twist that echoes Beetlejuice’s dark humor. By choosing this ominous “scare” from the mischievous character, director Tim Burton subtly satirizes modern filmmaking practices, specifically big-budget productions and sequels that hint at future installments rather than simply revisiting old movies. In a nod to horror franchises that often use their final scares as a means of setting up potential sequels, the ending of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice appears to follow suit but also subtly hints at the possibility of a sequel should Tim Burton choose to pursue one.
Will There Be a Beetlejuice 3?
In contrast to many modern films that include extra scenes after the main story, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice deliberately omits any mid or post-credit sequences. Tim Burton, the director, has chosen to abstain from this trend, and as such, the film does not provide any additional content beyond a brief display of cast members’ faces during the credits. The movie concludes with an amusing twist that hints at potential sequels while simultaneously defying audience expectations by offering no definitive resolution. Despite this ambiguity, there seems to be scope for another Beetlejuice adventure.
Lydia’s persistent fascination with Beetlejuice indicates she hasn’t completely overcome her fear. It seems as though there might be room for a possible third film. Interestingly, the title itself, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” appears to hint at an impending third installment, perhaps titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Although Tim Burton has stated he won’t make another film, given the anticipated high box office returns, it’s possible that Warner Bros. Discovery will expedite production to capitalize on the demand for a collaboration between Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, who haven’t worked together in nearly 36 years.
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2024-09-09 23:32